17 Pentecost

17 Pentecost – Sunday

first posted 09/10/05

1 Kings 12:21-33, Jeroboam’s Idolatry

Acts 4:18-31, Boldness of the Apostles

John 10:31-42 The Son of God

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, had gone to Shechem to gain the allegiance of the northern tribes, but was rejected because of his arrogant indifference to the needs of the people. The kingdom was divided and Rehoboam was king of Judah (and part of Benjamin) only. Jeroboam became king of the northern Kingdom of Israel.

The people of the northern kingdom refused to submit to forced labor for Rehoboam, so he returned to Jerusalem and raised an army of a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. Shemaiah, a prophet, was directed by the Lord to command Rehoboam not to fight against the northern tribes, because it was the Lord’s will for Jeroboam to rule the Northern Kingdom. The people of Judah obeyed God’s word and returned to their homes.

Jeroboam built his residence in Shechem (in central Israel west of the Jordan with many historical connections in Israel’s history beginning with Abraham’s first altar in the Promised Land; Genesis 12:6). From there Jeroboam rebuilt the city of Penuel (east of the Jordan, where Jacob had wrestled with the angel; Genesis 32:30).

Jeroboam was afraid that the people of the Northern Kingdom would be drawn back into a unified kingdom under Rheoboam, because of the centralized worship in Jerusalem, and that Jeroboam would be killed, so Jeroboam had two golden calves (idols) made; he placed one at Bethel (another historically important site for Israel) and the other at Dan (near the northern border of Israel). [This is the worst imaginable apostasy, since the golden calves (bulls) were symbols for Baal, and all images were forbidden (Deuteronomy 5:8-9, Exodus 32:1-35).] Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places (hill tops) and appointed priests from the common people of the northern tribes, rather than the priestly tribe of Levi, and Bethel became the priestly city.

Jeroboam created an annual feast, beginning on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a date “he had devised of his own heart” (not by God’s instruction; 1 Kings 12:33b), as a substitute for the Feast of Tabernacles (which began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month). Jeroboam offered sacrifices to the calves he had made on the altar he had made on the feast day he had made, and he commanded the people to observe the new feast.

Peter and John had been arrested by the Jewish religious authorities for healing a man who had been lame from birth, and for preaching the Gospel of Jesus to the people in the temple (Acts 3:1-17). They were tried before the Jewish Council (of priests and elders; the Sanhedrin) The Council ordered them not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus. The Apostles answered that the Council could decide for themselves whether it was right in God’s judgment for them to demand the apostles to obey the commands of men rather than God, but the apostles could not be kept from testifying to what they had seen and heard. The Council threatened them, but had no way to punish them without causing a riot among the people. The healing was widely known and acknowledged by the public as a miracle of God. The healed man was more than forty years old and had never walked, and had never learned how.

When released, Peter and John went to the Christian congregation in Jerusalem and reported the decision of the Council. Together the congregation prayed. They acknowledged that God is sovereign and that God’s prophetic word of Psalm 2:1-2, had been fulfilled. Both Jews and Gentiles, and kings and rulers of the earth, represented by Herod and Pontius Pilate (Roman rulers; Gentiles), had gathered in Jerusalem against Jesus, the Lord’s anointed (Christ, Messiah; both mean anointed in Greek and Hebrew, respectively), but they fulfilled God’s predetermined plan. The congregation prayed that the Lord would deal with the threats against them by the Jewish authorities, and would give the Christians boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. They asked the Lord to use his power to heal and work miracles in Jesus’ name. “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31; compare Acts 2:1-4).

Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish authorities gathered around him and asked him to say plainly if he was the Christ or not. Jesus answered that he and God the Father are one (consider Colossians 2:8-9). The Jews took up stones to stone Jesus to death. Jesus asked them why, on the basis of his good deeds, they judged him as deserving execution. They replied that Jesus, whom they regarded as just a human, had made himself equal with God, which they considered blasphemy.

These Jews considered themselves experts in Jewish scripture, so Jesus showed them from scripture that all who trust and obey God’s word are God’s sons (and daughters; both, by adoption; Psalm 82:6). (The test of God’s word is that it is always, eternally true; Deuteronomy 18:22.) Jesus asked them if Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, was guilty of blasphemy for claiming to be God’s son and Messiah. Jesus told them to consider his deeds; if what he was doing was not of God, then they shouldn’t believe in him. But if his deeds were of God, then even though they would not accept his testimony, they should believe him because of his deeds, so that they might know and comprehend that God is Jesus, and Jesus is God (John 20:28). The Jewish authorities “tried to arrest him but he escaped from their hands” (John 10: 39).

Jesus withdrew to Perea (a Roman administrative district east of the Jordan) where John the Baptist began his ministry. People came to him and they said that although John himself did no miracles, his testimony to Jesus was true. “And many believed in him [Jesus] there” (John 10:42).

It was God’s will for Jeroboam to be king of the northern kingdom of a divided monarchy but, almost immediately, Jeroboam stopped seeking, trusting and obeying God’s will. Jeroboam was so self-centered that he put his worldly ambition and his physical survival before his obedient trust in the Lord. He turned to idolatry, and he led God’s people to idolatry to satisfy his worldly personal interests.

This is just what the Jewish religious leaders in the time of Jesus’ physical ministry also did. They were trying to compel Peter and John to obey their worldly commands instead of trusting and obeying God’s word. They were more concerned with their worldly status than their spiritual responsibility.

The true people of God prayed for the supernatural power to proclaim the Gospel with boldness. They were praying in faith, according to God’s will, for a legitimate need, and they received the immediate answer to their prayer (see Conditions for Answered Prayer; sidebar, top right).

The Jewish authorities asked Jesus to tell them plainly if he was the Messiah. Jesus “cushioned” his response (so as not to intentionally offend them), but even then it was unacceptable to them. They were offended by the truth; not by the way in which Jesus presented it. Jesus was condemned by them for telling the truth which they refused to hear.

We’re invited to examine the Gospel and see for ourselves what Jesus is doing. We’re free to decide for ourselves who Jesus is. Do we seek the truth, or are we only interested in bolstering our own preconceived position? Are we truly seeking God’s will, or are we just interested in our own comfort and well-being?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity?

Alternative Entry
first posted 10/04/03

1 Kings 12:21-33 Jeroboam’s Idolatry

Acts 4:18-31 Release of Peter and John

John 10:31-42 Jesus charged with Blasphemy

Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and heir to the throne of David, returned from Shechem where Jeroboam had rebelled and divided the kingdom. In Jerusalem, Rehoboam prepared to lead an attack against Jeroboam to retake the northern part of the kingdom, but the prophets advised him not to, since it was God’s announced will that the kingdom be divided. (1 Kings 11:11-13). So Rehoboam listened to the word of the Lord, and did not attack Jeroboam.

Jeroboam was afraid that if his people went to Jerusalem to the Temple for worship that their loyalty would be won over to Rehoboam, so in order to solidify his northern kingdom, he established two houses of worship on the high places, one at Bethel and one at Dan, and he made two golden calves (bulls) for the people to worship and placed them there. [This is the worst imaginable apostasy, since the golden calves (bulls) were symbols for Baal, and all images were forbidden (Deuteronomy 5:8-9, Exodus 32:1-35)]. Jeroboam also appointed priests who were not of the Levites, and he created a separate feast to replace the traditional one celebrated in Judah, setting a date of his own choosing.

Peter and John had been arrested following their healing of a lame man in the Temple. They were brought before the Jewish religious council, and charged not to preach in Jesus’ name. Peter and John answered boldly: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

After being further threatened, Peter and John were released. The council was unable to punish them because the people glorified God for the healing Peter and John had done on the lame man. Peter and John went to their friends and together they prayed for boldness in proclaiming the gospel in the face of threats and opposition by the Jewish religious establishment. Their prayer was answered at once: "...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31b).

The Jewish religious leaders were preparing to stone Jesus for claiming to be God. The Jews were arguing over Jesus’ title, and ignoring the reality of what he was doing. Jesus’ works were his authentication, since they were works that only God could do.

Rehoboam accepted, as God’s will, the loss of the large portion of his kingdom. Jeroboam had used the dissatisfaction of the people over personal hardships required by their commitment to the worship of God (the forced labor required to build the Temple) to divide the People of God. To reinforce the division Jeroboam introduced idolatry, so that the people would no longer be under the influence of Jerusalem through Temple worship. Jeroboam was thinking about maintaining his political power, rather than on doing what God commanded.

What were the people thinking, to go along with such obvious apostasy? Apparently they were only thinking of their own earthly benefit, not of their commitment to God. (They will have to learn "the hard way" that their true best interest is served by obedience to God.)

Peter and John were ordered by the council not to preach in the name of Jesus. They answered boldly that they were going to serve God, and the council could decide in their own minds what to do. The council was not able to punish them further because the people recognized that it was by the power of God that the lame man had been healed.

The Jewish religious authorities should have been able to recognize that Jesus was the Christ (God’s Anointed). The fact that they focused on Jesus’ title suggests that they were more concerned with maintaining their position than in seeking God’s will. They weren’t seeking the truth, but instead were looking for evidence they could use against Jesus. If they had been seeking God’s will, they would have recognized Jesus by the works that he was doing. Jesus did not try to tell people who he was; he let them decide for themselves. In fact the title Jesus used most frequently about himself was “Son of man” (i.e. Mark 14:41c), which is full of implications, but which allows the hearer to draw his own conclusions.

17 Pentecost – Monday

first posted 09/11/05

1 Kings 13:1-10, The Prophecy against Jeroboam

Philippians 1:1-11, The Philippian Congregation

Mark 15:40-47 Jesus’ Burial

A prophet, directed by the Holy Spirit, came to Jeroboam at Bethel as he was burning incense, and prophesied that Josiah would be born in the dynasty of David and he would sacrifice the priests who were following pagan practices. The prophet declared that, as a sign that this was the Word of the Lord, the altar would be torn down and the ashes scattered. When he heard the prophecy, King Jeroboam stretched out his hand to command that the prophet be arrested, and Jeroboam’s hand was dried up and frozen in position. The altar was torn down and the ashes scattered as the prophet had said. Jeroboam begged the prophet to pray to the Lord to restore Jeroboam’s hand and the King’s hand was restored.

The king invited the prophet to be his guest and offered him a reward but the prophet declined, because the Lord had commanded him not to eat or drink in Bethel, and to return to his home by a different route, and the prophet did as the Lord had commanded.

Paul was writing to the Church at Philippi, (the capital of Macedonia, a Roman province north of Greece). Paul said that he continually gave thanks to God for the Philippian congregation’s partnership with Paul in the Gospel. Paul was sure that the Lord would bring to completion, on the Day of Judgment, at Christ’s return, what the Lord had begun in them. Paul’s joy in them was justified because they shared in the grace (unmerited favor; free gift) of God, because they had been Paul’s partners in Paul’s imprisonment, and his defense and confirmation of the truth of the Gospel.

The Philippians were very dear to Paul’s heart and he longed for them with the love of Christ. Paul prayed that the Philippians would grow in Christian love, knowledge and discernment so that they might choose what is best and would be found pure and blameless on the Day of the Lord (the Day of Judgment; the Day of Christ’s Second Coming), that they might be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).

There were women who had been followers of Jesus in Galilee and had come with him to Jerusalem. They were standing at a distance, witnessing Jesus’ crucifixion. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of “little” James, and Joses, and Salome, the mother of James and John (and Mary, the mother of Jesus; John 19:25), and many others.

Late that Friday afternoon, the day of “preparation” before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin), who was personally looking for the coming of God’s kingdom, courageously went to Pilate, the Roman administrator of Judea, and asked permission to remove Jesus’ body for burial. Pilate summoned the Centurion who had carried out the crucifixion, who verified that Jesus was dead, so Pilate gave Joseph permission to bury Jesus. Joseph bought a linen shroud, then went to the cross and took the body of Jesus down and wrapped it in the shroud. He placed the body in a tomb which had been hewn from a limestone cliff, and rolled a stone in front of the door to seal it. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses witnessed the location and entombment.

God’s Word is always completely reliable and eternally true. The test of God’s Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:22). Jeroboam had been made king of the northern Kingdom of Israel by God’s will, but immediately departed from God’s will because of personal ambition and self-interest (1 Kings 12:27), instead of trusting and obeying God. The prophet trusted and obeyed God, and faithfully proclaimed God’s Word to Jeroboam. When he realized that the prophet was speaking God’s Word, Jeroboam tried to manipulate God’s Word and God’s favor by offering the prophet food and refreshment, and attempting to bribe him with the promise of a monetary reward, but the man of God stayed obedient to God’s commands.

Jeroboam had let worldly ambition and physical well-being lead him away from God’s will and into idolatry. In contrast, Paul suffered physical danger, abuse and imprisonment for the Gospel. He trusted and obeyed the Lord, learning from experience that the Lord was able to fulfill what the Lord promised. Paul surrendered personal ambition and concern for his physical well-being to the Lord, and risked his physical life to faithfully and accurately proclaim God’s Word. Paul was following the example of Jesus Christ (although Paul had not known Jesus during Jesus’ physical lifetime on earth).

The Philippian congregation was in partnership with Paul in the Gospel. Paul was being guided by the Holy Spirit, and so were the Philippians. They were disciples, growing to spiritual maturity as they trusted and obeyed Jesus by his indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul knew from experience that the Lord’s word is true and that if we trust and obey Jesus he will lead us and complete, in us, the process of growing to spiritual maturity at the Day of Judgment.

The Jewish authorities were like Jeroboam; they had departed from God’s will and set up their own “religion.” They were concerned with worldly status, success, and comfort instead of trusting and obeying the Lord. They opposed God’s will and purpose, instead of cooperating with it. Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Jewish Council which condemned Jesus but Joseph had not agreed with their verdict. Unlike the majority of the members, he was truly seeking the Kingdom of God. Joseph was cooperating with God’s plan. Jesus trusted and obeyed God the Father, to the ultimate sacrifice of crucifixion and death. Jesus demonstrated by his resurrection that we need not fear physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15), and that cooperating with God’s purpose is more important that worldly success.

Jesus is the true, eternal King of Kings, but he didn’t get there by pursuing the worldly concept of kingship. He died physically but rose to eternal life. In contrast Jeroboam pursued the worldly concept of power, riches and life, but his disobedience cost him his eternal life.

Alternative Entry

first posted 10/05/03

1 Kings 13:1-10 The Prophets Turn Against Jeroboam

Philippians 1:1-11 Approve What Is Excellent

Mark 15:40-47 The Body of Jesus

A man of God (a prophet) came from Judah to the altar at Bethel and prophesied against the altar, saying that a descendant of David, Josiah, would arise and slay the (false) priests upon the altars on the high places. He also gave, as a sign that this was the Word of the Lord, the prophesy that the altars would be torn down and the ashes poured out.

When the man of God prophesied against the altar, King Jeroboam, who was worshipping there, stretched out his hand, pointing at the prophet and saying to those who were present to lay hold of the prophet. In that instant his arm was stiffened so that he could not draw it back, and the altar was torn down and the ashes spilled out, fulfilling the sign which the prophet had given.

King Jeroboam begged the prophet to pray for the Lord to restore Jeroboam’s arm, so the man of God prayed, and Jeroboam’s arm was restored to normal. Then the King invited the prophet to eat with him, but the prophet refused, in obedience to the Lord’s command not to eat or drink there, nor to return by the same route on which he had come.

Paul began his letter to the Philippians with a greeting and with thanksgiving for their partnership in the gospel. Paul prayed that the Philippians would grow in love and also in knowledge and discernment so that they would give their approval to what is excellent (and worthy of approval), so that they might be pure and blameless in the day of the Lord’s Judgment.

Among the witnesses to the crucifixion were Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary”, Mary the mother of James (James the younger, or lesser, who may have been the son of Alphaeus) and Joses. At evening (late Friday afternoon), Joseph of Arimathea, who was a respected member of the Jewish religious council, who was himself looking for the Kingdom of God, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate summoned the Centurion to verify that Jesus was dead, and then allowed Joseph to claim the body. Joseph bought a linen shroud and taking Jesus down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb, and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses witnessed the burial.

King Jeroboam had led his people to commit the worst imaginable apostasy because he didn’t place his trust in God, but tried to preserve, by his own strength, what he had accumulated for himself. In contrast, the man of God had followed the Lord’s command to go to Bethel and preach against the idolatry that was being practiced there. When the King tried, by his power and authority, to suppress the prophet, the Lord dramatically afflicted his power by stiffening Jeroboam’s arm in the outstretched position, causing Jeroboam to acknowledge his dependence upon the Lord’s mercy. Then the King tried diplomacy, inviting the prophet to partake of the feasting that accompanied sacrifices, but the prophet was faithful to God’s command not to eat or drink there, since participation would imply approval.

Paul tells the followers of Christ to grow to spiritual maturity in love, knowledge and discernment, so that they will know to approve only of those things which are worthy of approval, so that they can receive the Lord’s approval on the Day of Judgment.

Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Jewish religious council, but unlike the majority of the members, he was truly seeking the Kingdom of God. He chose what was worthy of approval by his care and concern for the body of Jesus. He dared to ask Pilate for permission to claim the body of Jesus for burial, he bought the shroud to be used for Jesus’ burial, [and laid him in a tomb which Joseph had prepared for himself (Matt 27:60)].

Do we have the spiritual maturity, knowledge and discernment to approve those things which are worthy of approval, or do we go along with the world’s invitation to “get along”? Do we trust in the Lord’s Word, or do we rely on our own ability and strength? Do we have the courage to claim Jesus when the majority is opposed to him?

17 Pentecost – Tuesday

first posted 09/12/05

1 Kings 16:23-34, Ahab Becomes King

Philippians 1:12-30, Paul’s Imprisonment

Mark 16:1-8 (9-20) The First Easter

Israel had been divided into two kingdoms, the northern Kingdom of Israel consisting of ten tribes, and the southern Kingdom of Judah, of the tribe of Judah and part of the tribe of Benjamin. At around 880 B.C., during the reign of Asa, king of Judah, Omri became king of Israel (the northern kingdom) by military coup. For the first six years he reigned in Tirzah (north of Shechem and east of Samaria, west of the Jordan). Tirzah had been established as the capital of the Northern Kingdom by Jeroboam. He bought the hill of Samaria from its owner and built the city of Samaria which became his capital. Omri was more wicked than all the kings who preceded him. He continued in the idolatry which Jeroboam had begun. He died and was buried in Samaria, and his son, Ahab, ascended the throne around 870 B.C.

Ahab reigned over Israel for twenty-two years, and was more wicked than Omri. He not only continued the idolatry established by Jeroboam, but also married, for political reasons, Jezebel, the daughter of the Phoenician king. She was a worshiper of Baal, and Ahab began to worship and serve Baal also. Ahab built a shrine and altar to Baal in Samaria and made an Asherah (a wooden pole symbolizing the Canaanite fertility goddess, Asherah).

During Ahab’s reign, Hiel, a resident of Bethel, rebuilt Jericho, which had been destroyed by Israel when they had first entered the Promised Land (Joshua 6:1-27). Joshua had prophetically declared that anyone who rebuilt Jericho would be cursed by God, and that person’s children would die as a consequence (Joshua 6:26). That curse was fulfilled; Hiel rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his children’s lives (1 Kings 16:34).

Paul was writing to the Church at Philippi from imprisonment, probably in Rome. Although he would rather not have been imprisoned, he saw his situation as an opportunity to spread the Gospel. His guards had become aware of the Gospel of Christ and that news had spread throughout the military headquarters. Also, other Christians had learned to trust in the Lord and had been encouraged to proclaim the Gospel boldly by Paul’s example.

Paul had some rivals who were jealous of Paul’s authority (for example, 1 Corinthians 1:11-13; 2 Corinthians 10:10, 12). Some preached the Gospel to build themselves up and diminish Paul. But others were proclaiming the Gospel in partnership with Paul, motivated by love. Paul was not seeking any personal glory from his ministry. As long as the Gospel was being faithfully and accurately proclaimed Paul rejoiced.

Paul was confident that the circumstances of his imprisonment would turn out for his deliverance as a result of the church’s prayer and “the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (the Holy Spirit; Philippians 1:19), no matter what happened to Paul. Paul could expect and hope with confidence that he would not be ashamed by his testimony to the Gospel, and that Christ would be honored and glorified by Paul, whether Paul lived or died physically.

Paul lived to serve Christ; to die physically would be to Paul’s advantage (to be with the Lord in paradise for eternity would be better than the suffering he had experienced in this life for the Gospel). But Paul felt a responsibility to help fulfill Christ’s mission and to disciple and grow the Church toward spiritual maturity. Paul was willing to sacrifice his personal desires for the sake of Christ. He hoped that he might return to the Philippian congregation so that they might rejoice and glorify Christ.

Paul urged them to live life in obedience to the Gospel unified by the Holy Spirit and working together for the faith of the Gospel boldly, without fear of those who oppose Christ. Such a lifestyle is a warning of condemnation to the enemies of the Gospel, and a testimony to our salvation in Christ. It is God’s will that believers should share in the suffering of Christ in the conflict of good versus evil in which Paul was engaged.

Jesus’ body had been removed from the cross and placed in the tomb late Friday afternoon (the beginning of the Sabbath), but the burial rites had not been carried out. When the Sabbath ended (at sundown Saturday evening), Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought the spices required to prepare Jesus’ body. The next morning (Sunday) at sunrise they went to the tomb (the two Marys had witnessed the entombment Friday afternoon; Mark 15:47). They were wondering who would open the tomb for them (the tomb was sealed with a large stone disk rolling in a track hewn in the rock.

When they arrived they found that the stone had been rolled away. They entered the tomb and found a young man (an angel) dressed in a white robe. He told them not to be amazed. The angel knew that they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth, and told them that Jesus wasn’t in the tomb. The angel told them to look and see that this was true. The angel told the women to “tell his disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:7) that Jesus was going to Galilee before them, and there they would see Jesus, as Jesus had told them. “And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon the; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8).

Jeroboam was made king of the northern tribes by God’s will, but once he was king he became worried about keeping his worldly position and his physical life (1 Kings 12:26-27) instead of trusting and obeying God. He led his kingdom to turn from worshiping and serving the Lord into idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33). Despite the warnings of prophets (1 Kings 13:1-10) the Northern Kingdom did not repent and return to obedient trust in the Lord.

A series of assassinations of the kings of northern Israel ensued, and Omri became king by military coup. His wickedness and idolatries were worse than Jeroboam’s. Omri’s son, Ahab, succeeded Omri to the throne of Israel, and he was worse than his father. The Northern Kingdom was descending into spiritual and moral corruption. During Ahab’s reign, Hiel disobeyed God’s Word warning not to rebuild Jericho, and God’s curse was fulfilled on his household.

The Kings of northern Israel had disregarded God’s Word and had misused their position and vocation to pursue their own worldly interests, and brought down the kingdom into disobedience and immorality. In contrast Paul had surrendered his personal will and had become a servant of Christ who built up God’s kingdom, making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them by word and example to live in obedient trust in God’s Word. He had no reason to be ashamed of the ministry he had done by the Lord’s calling and direction.

Jesus had told his disciples repeatedly that he was going to be crucified and would rise from the dead on the third day (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34). Jesus had told them he would see them in Galilee after his resurrection (Mark 14:28). Jesus’ promises were fulfilled (John 21:1-23).

Jesus’ word is the Word of God (John 1:1-5, 14). His word is utterly reliable and true. Those who do not trust and obey it will be condemned by it. We must choose whether to trust and obey Jesus or to pursue our own interests and worldly success. Are we building God’s kingdom and making disciples of Jesus Christ, or are we pursuing our own kingdoms? Is America growing spiritually as a Christian nation or are we sinking into spiritual and moral corruption as our leaders and our people pursue their worldly goals of wealth, power and success, and sacrifice our descendants, our children, for their worldly ambitions? Are our churches making disciples and teaching obedient trust in Jesus’ commands, or are they willing to compromise Biblical standards in order to remain “popular?”

Alternative Entry

first posted 10/06/03

1 Kings 16:23-34 The Rise of Ahab

Philippians 1:12-30 Paul’s Situation in Prison

Mark 16:1-8 (9-20) The Resurrection

Omri was chosen King by the people of the northern tribes of Israel after putting down the usurper Zimri. During his reign, he established the capital of the Northern Kingdom at Samaria. Under his reign, the Northern Kingdom moved further and further from the Lord into idolatry. When Omri died, his son Ahab became king, and he reigned for twenty-two years, leading his kingdom further from the Lord into idolatry. He married Jezebel, the daughter of the King of Phoenicia (Sidonians) and converted to the worship of Baal. He erected a house of Baal in Samaria, and made an Asherah (a post or pillar set up to represent an idol). During Ahab’s reign, Hiel of Bethel built Jericho, using a ritual of human sacrifice to insure the good luck of the project; His first-born son was killed and buried in the foundation, and his youngest son was killed and buried under the gates.

Paul tells the Philippians that his imprisonment, under military guard as he awaits trial before Caesar, has had the positive benefit of advancing the gospel, because the guards have all been exposed to Paul’s testimony through their contact with him. Another positive effect has been the increased confidence and courage of others to proclaim the gospel boldly. If some of his fellow Christians have been motivated by jealousy and rivalry with Paul, at least Paul can rejoice that the name of Jesus is being proclaimed. Paul’s trust is in Jesus; that no matter what the outcome, it will turn out in Paul’s favor. He urges his hearers to lives worthy of the gospel, and to boldly testify to the faith, believing that the courage to testify boldly in the face of conflict and suffering will enhance their witness.

When the Sabbath had ended (at sundown on Saturday) Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James and Joses bought spices so that they could complete the burial ritual, and early on the first day of the week (Sunday), at sunrise, they went to the tomb. They were discussing how they would deal with the stone which sealed the door, but when they arrived they saw that the stone had been rolled back. Entering the tomb they saw a young man dressed in a white robe, who told them that Jesus had risen, and showed the empty place where Jesus had been laid. The man instructed them to tell his disciples (and especially Peter) that they would see Jesus in Galilee as Jesus had told them. The women “fled from the tomb… and said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.”

The Northern Kingdom turned from God and went astray into idolatry. They served “gods” who caused bad things to happen unless placated by human sacrifice. The people were willing to sacrifice their children to accomplish their own selfish ambitions.

Satan is the present ruler of this world, the evil one, the ‘god’ of this world; he is behind every idol. Satan was defeated by Jesus at the Cross. Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that the victory over sin and death has been won. Jesus is going to come again to judge the earth. Satan and all his followers will be cast into Hell, the lake of fire. Satan is working for evil; God is working for good. Satan is trying to destroy us; God wants to save us. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

When Jesus was arrested, his disciples were scattered, as Jesus had prophesied (Mark 14:27, 50). Peter was brave enough to mingle with those in the chief priest’s courtyard, but fear made him deny his Lord (Mark 14:66-72). On Easter morning the two Marys were filled with fear at the first news of the Resurrection. The disciples at first couldn’t believe it (Mark 16:9-14). Then came the day of Pentecost and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and fear gave way to joy and boldness. Note the change in Peter from fear and denial to the boldness of his sermon (Acts 2:14-36).

Remember that Paul (formerly known as Saul) had been a vigorous persecutor of Christians until his encounter with the Spirit of the Risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-20). The victory had been won, but now the disciples had joined in the conflict to make the victory known; to bring that salvation to all who would receive it. The willingness of believers to suffer for the sake of the gospel is a sign to unbelievers of the truth of the message. Believers know that even when bad things happen God will ultimately bring good from them. Even death is no longer feared by believers, because they know that God will raise them from death to eternal life.

What makes Christianity different from other religions which believe in life after death? The difference is the Resurrection of Jesus! By the gift of the Holy Spirit, which Paul refers to as the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19), believers experience a personal relationship with the risen Jesus. Paul is the prototype of all who have come to believe in Jesus since his resurrection. Paul’s conversion through a personal encounter with the Spirit of the Risen Jesus is an example for all of us. Believers who have had the personal encounter and have thus been “born again” can say (with Peter) “…we have believed, and have come to know, that you (Jesus) are the Holy One of God (John 6: 69). For those who demand proof in order to believe, there is none; but for those who believe, there is abundant proof!

17 Pentecost – Wednesday

first posted 09/13/05

1 Kings 17:1-24, Elijah Prophesies Famine

Philippians 2:1-11, Humility and Obedience

Matthew 2:1-12 The Wise Men

Elijah was apparently from Tishbe, east of the Jordan on the Brook Cherith. Elijah told Ahab, King of the northern kingdom of Israel, that by the living Lord God of Israel, there would be no rain or dew in the kingdom until Elijah gave the Word (from God). Then the Lord told Elijah to hide himself by the Brook Cherith. The brook would be Elijah’s source of water, and Lord would command ravens (crows) to bring Elijah bread and meat both morning and evening. Elijah lived as God had commanded, and after a while, when the brook dried up because of the drought, the Lord told Elijah to go to Zarepath (between Tyre and Sidon in the Phoenician kingdom northwest of Israel on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea).

Elijah went to Zarepath as the Lord had commanded, and at the city gate, he encountered a widow gathering sticks. Elijah asked for a drink of water, and as she was going to fetch it, he asked her for bread also. She replied that she had only a small amount of flour and oil, and that she had been about to prepare and eat it with her son as their last meal before starvation.

Elijah told her to go ahead and prepare it as she had said, but first to make a small biscuit for Elijah; he assured her that, by the Word of the Lord God of Israel, her containers of flour and oil would not be emptied before the Lord sent rain to end the famine. She did as Elijah had said, and she, her son, and Elijah ate for many days without exhausting her supplies.

Then the widow’s son became so seriously ill that he stopped breathing. The widow thought that Elijah must have been sent by the Lord to punish her by taking her son’s life for some sin she had committed. But Elijah took the son up to Elijah's room and placed him on Elijah's bed. Then Elijah prayed to the Lord asking if it was God’s will to bring calamity on the widow who had provided lodging for Elijah. Then Elijah stretched himself out on the son three times, praying that the Lord would restore the boy’s soul, and the boy revived. Elijah took the boy downstairs to his mother, and she saw that the boy was alive. The widow told Elijah that she was now certain that Elijah was a prophet of the Lord and spoke the true Word of God.

Paul told the Philippian Christians (Philippi was the capital of Macedonia, north of Greece; now in modern Greece) that if they realized the encouragement and incentive to love which are in Christ and shared in the gift of the Holy Spirit, having any affection and sympathy, they should respond in unity of purpose and love, so that Paul’s joy might be complete. Paul urged his hearers to put the interest of others ahead of their own self-interest, and not to be motivated by selfishness or conceit.

Christians are to follow the example of Jesus, who although he was God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9), did not assert his equality with God. Instead he denied his own self-interest and will, and humbled himself, becoming the servant of all and completely obedient to God the Father, even unto death on a cross. Because of his humble obedience God has exalted and glorified Jesus above all and made Jesus’ name exalted above all other names, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, during the reign of King Herod the Great (from approximately 47~ 40 to 4 B.C.). Wise men [Magi; of an educated class of Persians (Iranians)] from the east came to Jerusalem seeking to worship the king of the Jews whose birth had been revealed to them in the stars (i.e., by astrology). Herod was troubled to hear of a potential rival, and the news stirred up a commotion in Jerusalem. Herod assembled the Jewish religious authorities to find out where the Christ (Messiah; both mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively; the Lord’s promised eternal king and heir to the throne of David; Jeremiah 23:5; Numbers 24:17) was to be born. The Jewish authorities told Herod that according to scripture, the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea (Micah 5:2).

Herod summoned the wise men privately and found out what time the star had appeared, and then sent them to Bethlehem, asking them to report back to Herod when they had found him, claiming that Herod wanted to worship him also. As they headed to Bethlehem the star they had seen in their homeland “went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:9). When they saw the star indicating the child’s location they rejoiced greatly, and when they entered the place, they found the infant with Mary, his mother. The wise men fell down before him and worshiped him, and then they presented their treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they returned to their homeland by another route.

Elijah trusted and obeyed the Lord, and was guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Ahab was the most wicked of all the kings on the northern kingdom before him. When the Lord told Elijah to present God’s prophetic Word of judgment to Ahab, Elijah went and did as the Lord commanded. Ahab couldn’t have been happy to hear Elijah’s prophecy. Ahab might have attempted to manipulate the prophet and God’s Word to his advantage, as Jeroboam had attempted to do (1 Kings 13:7-9). The Lord commanded Elijah to hide by the brook, east of the Jordan River (in Gilead; probably beyond Ahab’s authority), and the Lord proved abundantly able to provide for Elijah’s needs in the most unlikely circumstances, first by ravens, and later by the widow as they obeyed God’s Word.

The widow responded in faith (obedient trust) to the Word of God by the prophet, and the Lord provided for the needs of herself and her son as well as Elijah’s, and because of her faith her son’s illness was healed and he was restored to life from the dead. Through her obedient trust in God’s Word, the widow had come to know with certainty that Elijah was a prophet of God and spoke the true Word of God (compare John 6:68-69 RSV). Fulfillment is the hallmark and test of God’s Word; God’s Word is always eternally true and is always fulfilled, over-and-over, as the conditions for its fulfillment are met.

“Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ who have trusted and obeyed Jesus and have received and experienced the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17; Acts 19:2). Jesus is the only one who “baptizes” with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34; John 16:7). Christians who have experienced the encouragement and love of the indwelling Holy Spirit will respond in unity with the purpose and love of God in Jesus Christ. They will join and cooperate in unity with the eternal plan of God in Jesus Christ, which is the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the establishment of the eternal kingdom of God’s people who trust and obey him.

God’s plan from the beginning of Creation has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of people who will trust and obey him, and this life is the opportunity for us to seek and come to a personal relationship with God and to choose for ourselves where we will spend eternity (Acts 17:26-27). Jesus is God’s only plan for our salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12, John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus trusted and obeyed God the Father’s will rather than his own will, and Jesus was raised from physical death to eternal life. Jesus came in order to become the only sacrifice acceptable to God, once for all time, for the forgiveness of our sins (Hebrews 9:26b RSV). His life demonstrated how to live according to God’s Word. His resurrection from physical death demonstrates the truth of existence beyond physical death. Jesus demonstrated the eternal truth of God’s Word; Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of every promise of God in the Old Testament.

The wise men used worldly “wisdom” to lead them to God’s Word, but they needed God’s Word to complete their journey. With the divine wisdom of Scripture they were prepared to be guided to their final destination. When they had consulted God’s Word, God’s Spirit guided them to Jesus Christ, God’s anointed eternal king, and they worshiped and “invested” their “treasure” in him. They obeyed and were guided by God’s Word and returned to their home by “another way.”

Instead of seeking and truly worshiping Jesus himself, Herod attempted to use his worldly power to destroy Jesus, but God’s will ultimately prevailed. The Jewish authorities were no better. Even with their knowledge of scripture they were unwilling to surrender their worldly interests to trust and obey God’s will. Have we inherited religious tradition and scripture, and yet reject the lordship of the Messiah because we are unwilling to surrender our worldly status or material possessions?

Alternative Entry
first posted 10/07/03

1 Kings 17:1-24 The Widow of Zarepath

Philippians 2:1-11 Christ’s Example of Humility

Matthew 2:1-12 The Wise Men

Elijah, the prophet, spoke the Word of the Lord to Ahab, saying that there would be no rain or dew except at God’s Word through Elijah. The Lord told Elijah to leave Ahab’s territory and hide east of the Jordan River by the brook Cherith, and the Lord provided bread and meat for Elijah by ravens, which brought it to him. After a while the brook dried up because there had been no rain. Then the Lord commanded Elijah to go to Zarepath (between Tyre and Sidon on the Phoenician coast).

There he encountered a widow who was gathering sticks, and he asked her for a drink of water and something to eat. The widow had just a little meal and oil left and was about to prepare a last meal for herself and her son. Elijah told her that the oil and meal would not be depleted until the drought ended. The household ate for many days and the meal and oil were not exhausted. Then the widow’s son became very sick and stopped breathing. Elijah took him to his room upstairs and prayed over him and the boy was restored to life.

Paul exhorted his hearers to not be divided by conflicting self-interests, but rather to be humble, honoring others and seeking their best interests above self. Jesus is our example; although he was in his nature Divine, he lived among us, fully human, as a servant, in humility and obedience even unto death on the cross. Because he humbled himself in obedience, God has exalted him above all others.

When Jesus was born, wise men (astrologers) from the East came to Jerusalem seeking the “King of the Jews” whose birth they had discerned from astrological events. News of a potential rival disturbed King Herod ("the Great"). He assembled the religious leaders to determine where the child was to be born, and they told him “Bethlehem”. So Herod sent the wise men on, requesting that they notify Herod when they had located the child. The star which they had followed in the East continued to lead them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. Then they rejoiced greatly, and entering the house they fell down and worshiped him, and presented the gifts which they had brought, gold, frankincense and myrrh. And, warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their homeland by another route.

Since the division of the Nation of Israel into two kingdoms, the Northern Kingdom had turned from God to idolatry, chiefly to the worship of Baal (the Canaanite/Phoenecian god) who it’s worshipers believed controlled the rain. Elijah’s purpose was to show that the Lord God is the one who really controls the weather. After delivering the prophesy about the drought, Elijah left Ahab’s territory, and the Lord provided for Elijah’s needs first in the wilderness beyond the Jordan, and then by the widow of Zarepath, as she trusted in the Lord and shared her meager resources. God provided for Elijah through the most humble of circumstances.

The wise men of the East knew of the birth of Jesus through their ability to understand signs in the natural world. They assumed, however, that the King of the Jews would be born in the palace in Jerusalem. They had to consult the Bible in order to complete their information and arrive at the correct destination. The wise men were wise in the ways of the world, but were confounded by God’s wisdom in sending his Anointed King to be born in such a humble setting. Herod thought he was being very clever by asking the wise men to inform him when they had found the child, so that Herod could worship him too. Herod really was interested only in himself, and he didn’t want any rivals competing for his position.

The Jewish religious leaders weren’t any better; even with their knowledge of the scripture they were not willing to receive Jesus as God’s Anointed King. In contrast, Paul told his hearers that they should follow Jesus’ example by humbling themselves and placing the interests of others ahead of themselves. God can be relied on to supply our needs as we are willing to humble ourselves – not demanding accommodations in the Palace, not expecting others to wait on us, but in obedience to God’s Word, as we put the needs of others ahead of our own.

Do we expect to live in the Palace and dine on Palace food, letting others wait on us and cater to our whims while all around us our brothers and sisters, for whom Jesus was willing to die, are one bread-and-water meal from starvation? Do we require the Lord to command crows to bring them scraps of bread and meat?

God created this world in abundance. The reason there isn’t enough for everyone is because it isn’t divided equally! The reason it isn’t divided equally is because we’re focused on getting what we think we deserve and are entitled to, rather than considering the needs of others. Did we inherit the religious traditions and the knowledge of the scriptures and yet reject the Messiah because we don’t want to give up our status and position (or possessions) in our world?

17 Pentecost – Thursday

first posted 9/14/05

1 Kings 18:1-19, Elijah Returns to Ahab

Philippians 2:12-30, Christian Life

Matthew 2:13-23 Flight into Egypt

Elijah, the prophet, had prophesied drought to Ahab, the king of northern Israel, and then had hidden from him by God’s instructions. In the third year of the drought, God told Elijah to show himself to Ahab and prophesy the end of the drought. Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, was experiencing severe famine. Ahab called Obadiah, the steward of the king’s household, and told him to go throughout the kingdom to all the springs seeking enough grass to sustain some of the horses and mules. Ahab would also search, and they divided the search between them.

Obadiah was a worshiper of God. When Jezebel, King Ahab’s Phoenician wife who was a worshiper of Baal, the Canaanite idol, persecuted the prophets of God, Obadiah had hidden a hundred prophets in two caves, and had fed them with bread and water.

While Obadiah was searching for pasture, he met Elijah coming to Ahab. Obadiah bowed before Elijah and Elijah told him to go to Ahab and tell him where he could find Elijah. Ahab had been searching everywhere for Elijah. Obadiah was afraid that if he told Ahab he had found Elijah and then Elijah disappeared again the King would kill Obadiah. Obadiah told the prophet that he had worshiped the Lord from his youth, and had rescued the hundreds of prophets from Jezebel’s persecution. Elijah swore that he would show himself to Ahab that day, so Obadiah went to Ahab and told him where to find Elijah, and Ahab went to the prophet.

When Ahab found Elijah he called Elijah a “troubler of Israel” (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah replied that it was not he who had troubled Israel, but Ahab, because Ahab had turned away from obedient trust in God’s Word and to idolatry. Elijah told Ahab to gather to Mount Carmel all of the people of Israel, and also the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah (the Canaanite fertility goddess, a consort of Baal) who were supported by Jezebel.

Paul urged the Philippian Christians to apply Paul’s teaching of the Gospel in their daily lives in reverence and humility, even though Paul was not there to disciple them in person, because the Lord was at work in them to desire and do what would please the Lord.

Paul taught Christians to conduct themselves in every situation without grumbling or complaining, so as to be beyond reproach, shining like lights in the darkness of this corrupt and perverse age, trusting firmly in God’s life-giving Word, so that at the Day of Judgment Paul could rejoice that his labor had not been wasted. Even if Paul was sacrificed so that others could worship the Lord in faith, Paul could rejoice in them, and the Philippians should also rejoice in Paul.

In Jesus Christ, Paul could hope to send his assistant, Timothy, to the Philippians, to encourage their welfare and cheer Paul up with a favorable report. Paul regarded Timothy like his own son in their partnership in ministry. Timothy’s character is an example of a Christian disciple who puts the interests of other ahead of his own. Paul also hoped that his situation might be resolved so that he could visit the Philippians in person.

The Philippian congregation had sent Epaphroditus with a gift from them to Paul in prison, probably in Rome. Epaphroditus had been seriously ill and nearly died while with Paul in Rome. Paul and Epaphroditus wanted to reassure the Philippian congregation that Epaphroditus had recovered, and he was looking forward to being reunited with his friends in Philippi. Epaphroditus was commended for risking his life for the work of Christ and the church.

After the wise men had departed, the Lord told Joseph in a dream to take the infant Jesus and his mother, Mary, to Egypt and remain there until the Lord told him otherwise, because Herod was about to search for Jesus to destroy him. Joseph did as the Lord had said, departing during the night. They remained in Egypt until Herod died. Thus the words of Hosea, the prophet, were fulfilled: “Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Hosea 11:1)

Herod had told the wise men to return to tell him where the Christ child was, but they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod. When Herod realized the wise men had deceived him he became furious and had all the male children two years and younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding region killed, according to the time the wise men had said the star appeared. This “slaughter of the innocents” fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15. Rachael, the wife of Jacob (Israel) had died in childbirth and was buried near Bethlehem (Genesis 35:16-20). Ramah, north of Jerusalem, had been the site where Jeremiah witnessed the deportation of Judah to Babylon (Jeremiah 40:1).

Herod died (in 4 B.C.), and the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him it was safe to bring Jesus and Mary back to Israel. Joseph did as the Lord had told him, but when he learned that Archelaus, Herod’s son, ruled Judea, he settled in Nazareth in Galilee, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1: “He (the Christ) shall be called a Nazarene.”

The Lord revealed his Word to Elijah for him to proclaim to Ahab. Elijah was obedient to the Lord’s commands and the Word that Elijah prophesied to Ahab was fulfilled. The Lord was able to preserve and sustain Elijah during three years of famine and against Ahab’s attempts to oppose Elijah’s message. The Lord told Elijah when it was time to announce the end of the drought and famine and Elijah did as the Lord directed him.

Obadiah was a believer and worshiper of God. He trusted in the Word of God and in the prophet, and he helped accomplish God’s purpose. In a sense, he risked his life in obedient trust in the Word of God proclaimed by Elijah.

The hallmark and test of God’s Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:22). God’s Word is completely reliable and eternally true; it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met.

In a sense Paul is the “New Testament Elijah.” He was guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit of the Lord to proclaim God’s Word and he trusted and obeyed God’s Word. Paul made disciples of Jesus Christ and taught them to trust and obey all Jesus’ word (compare Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus’ word is the Word of God; Jesus is the embodiment of God’s Word in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus’ word is the word of eternal life (John 6:68).

Timothy and Epaphroditus are examples of disciples of Jesus Christ, discipled by Paul to trust and obey Jesus’ word. They put the interests of others before their self-interest, and they risked their physical lives, as Obadiah had, in obedient trust in God’s Word. The Philippians were being discipled by Paul, even though Paul was unable to be with them in person. They were being taught to trust and obey Jesus’ word, and Paul assured them that as they trusted and obeyed, the Lord was at work in them to cause them to grow to spiritual maturity at Christ’s return on the Day of Judgment.

Joseph trusted and obeyed God’s Word revealed to him in a dream. He didn’t break his engagement when Mary was found to be pregnant (Matthew 1 18-25), although he knew he wasn’t the father of the child (Matthew 1:25). When the Lord told him to go to Egypt in a dream, Joseph went that very night. The Lord had promised to tell him when it was safe to return to Israel, and Joseph waited for the fulfillment of that promise. When the Lord told him to return he returned in obedient trust. He settled in Nazareth as God’s Word had prophesied long before. By his obedient trust in God’s Word, Joseph and his family were protected from the enemy of God’s Word, as Elijah had been.

Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. Hosea prophesied that the Son of God would be called out of Egypt, and so Jesus was. Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled by the Babylonian exile of Judah, witnessed by Jeremiah, and again as Rachael, the “chosen” (Genesis 29:15-18) wife of “Israel” (Genesis 32:28), became the symbol of “Mother Israel” weeping for her children slaughtered by Herod, in Ramah, which earlier had been the scene of the exile of the remnant of Israel, Judah, to Babylon (Jeremiah 40:1). Joseph and his family settled in Nazareth of Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy.

The scriptures bear witness over and over to the power and faithfulness of God to supply the needs of those who place their trust in him, and each of the countless number who have trusted in him since then add their testimony of God’s faithfulness. No one in his own strength can stand up against the Herods, Ahabs or Jezebels of this world. Those people get their power from the Baal, the god of this world, who is Satan.

Whatever we ally with to ensure our survival is our god. Surely we don’t individually trust in ourselves alone for our security. Do we rely on our good job, or money in the bank, or guns, or a “panic room” for our security? We must choose whether to trust and serve God, or Satan. Jesus said “No one can serve two masters; for he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Security based on material things seems so much more dependable right now, but all those things will pass away and they offer no security for eternity. God is abundantly able to meet our needs and he is completely faithful. Jesus offers the only real security, for right now, and for eternity.

17 Pentecost – Friday

first posted 09/15/05

1 Kings 18:20-40, Contest Between God and Baal

Philippians 3:1-16, A Warning

Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist

Elijah the prophet told King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel to assemble the people of Israel and the eight hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and his consort Asherah, the heathen idols of Ahab’s wife, Jezebel at Mount Carmel ( on the Mediterranean coast south of the Phoenician kingdom in northern Israel). Elijah said to the assembled people, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). The people made no response, so Elijah told them that he alone was left of the prophets of the Lord and he proposed a contest between himself and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. The prophets of Baal would sacrifice a bull as a burnt offering on an altar, but they would call on Baal to answer by striking with fire to consume the burnt offering. Then Elijah would do the same, and the priests of whichever sacrifice was consumed by fire would be the winner.

The priests of Baal killed their bull, cut it up and placed it on the altar with the wood for the fire, and then called on Baal from morning until noon to light the fire. Their sacrificial ritual involved a limping dance around the altar. Baal made no answer.

Elijah mocked them, telling then to call louder; perhaps Baal was musing or sleeping; perhaps Baal had gone to the bathroom, or maybe he was on a journey. The priests of Baal cut themselves with knives so that they bled, as was their custom. They continued their ritual until 3 p. m. but their cries to Baal were not answered.

Then Elijah called the people to draw around him. He rebuilt the altar of the Lord which had been torn down (1 Kings 13:1-3, 5). He dug a trench around the altar, and then laid the bull and the wood for the sacrifice upon it. Elijah commanded that jars of water be poured upon the sacrifice on the altar three times, so that the wood was thoroughly wet and water had run down and filled the trench.

At three p.m. Elijah prayed to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (earlier called Jacob), asking him to show that he alone is God, and that Elijah was the servant of God, acting in obedient trust in God’s Word. He prayed that the Lord would turn the hearts of the people back to obedient trust in the Lord. The fire of the Lord fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, stones, dust, and even the water in the trench. When the people saw it they declared that the Lord is God. Then Elijah told the people to seize the prophets of Baal, and they took them down the mountain to the Kishon River, and killed them.

Paul urged Christians to rejoice in the Lord. He warned them to be on guard against false teachers and false doctrines contrary to scripture, like those who insist on physical circumcision and the keeping of the laws of Judaism (Judaisers; legalists), the outward appearance of righteousness [or the opposite false doctrines of those who do not teach discipleship and obedient trust in Jesus words. For example the Corinthian congregation was rebuked by Paul for taking advantage of God’s grace (free gift of salvation; without obedience to God’s Word; for example: Romans 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 10:1-23)].

True circumcision is a matter of inner heart attitude (Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 6:14-15; Colossians 2:11-13) rather than outward religious rites, and those who truly worship God worship in spirit (by the indwelling Holy Spirit). If outward circumstances were the measure of one’s righteousness, Paul would be well qualified by his Jewish ancestry, upbringing, formal training and advanced education. He was, as a Pharisee, the strictest legalistic division of Judaism, blameless according to Jewish law. But Paul surrendered the appearance of righteousness, which is the accomplishment and judgment of man, for the greater spiritual value of a personal fellowship with Jesus Christ through his indwelling Holy Spirit, and the true righteousness in God’s judgment, which is received only through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. Through a personal relationship with Jesus, Paul experienced the power of Jesus’ resurrection. For the joy of knowing Jesus personally, experiencing the power of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope of attaining eternal life, Paul was willing to share and follow Jesus in suffering and physical death.

Christian discipleship is a spiritual growth process. Paul didn’t claim that he had reached spiritual perfection, but he continued to press on to claim the promise because Christ had claimed Paul. Paul taught by example that we must let go of the past and press on toward the goal in order to claim the prize which God has promised through Jesus Christ. Those who are spiritually mature will acknowledge and do likewise, and God will reveal this to those who are less spiritually mature; but we must hold on to what we have already attained.

John the Baptist was born about six months before Jesus, to Elizabeth, the kinswoman of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36). When Jesus was about to begin his public ministry, John was led by God to begin preaching in the wilderness of Judea (southeast of Jerusalem, along the shore of the Dead Sea), a baptism of repentance, and heralding the imminent coming of the kingdom of heaven. John was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3: the voice crying in the wilderness, heralding the coming of the Messiah and calling the people to repent (return to obedience to God).

John dressed and lived in the manner of the Old Testament prophets (Matthew 3:4; compare 2 Kings 1:8; Zechariah 13:4), foraging locusts and honey in the wilderness for food. People came to him in the wilderness from Jerusalem and Judea and the surrounding area. They confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River.

When many Pharisees and Sadducees (Jewish leaders) came for baptism John said to them, “You brood of vipers (snakes)! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance and do no presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father;’ for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:7-10).

John said that he had come to baptize with water for repentance, but the Christ, whose coming John heralded, was far greater than John as Christ’s baptism was greater than John’s; the Christ would “baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). The Christ would be the winnower of the spiritual harvest of Israel, separating the “wheat” (spiritual fruit) from the “chaff” (the unproductive part of the harvest). The Christ would gather the “wheat” into his “granary” (the eternal kingdom) but the “chaff” would be burned with unquenchable fire (eternal destruction in Hell).

Life in this world is a struggle between good and evil, between God and the heathen god of this world, Satan. The people of the northern kingdom thought they could have the blessings of God’s chosen people while serving the idols of this world. If we recognize that the Lord is the only true God, we must follow him. Faith in anything other than the Lord God will ultimately disappoint and lead to spiritual disaster, as it did for the prophets of Baal. But those who obediently trust in the Lord will receive a response to their faith, and will see the confirmation of the truth of God’s Word.

The struggle between good and evil can be seen in the first century Christian church. Satan is a deceiver and a counterfeiter. The false doctrines circulating in the world today were seen and refuted in the first century, New Testament, Church. We cannot save ourselves by being “good people,” by keeping the Law of Moses, because we have all sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin (disobedience of God’s Word) is eternal death (Romans 6:23). If we fail at any point of the law we are as guilty as if we failed all (James 2:10; see God’s plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Neither can we be saved by claiming faith in Jesus without obedient trust in his word. (Matthew 7:21-24; Luke 6:46; James 2:14-18).

The Pharisees and Sadducees were examples of unfruitful spiritual harvest. They sought the outward appearance of righteousness without bearing the fruit of repentance. They trusted in their genealogical pedigree and formal education rather than true inward conversion and personal experience. They knew all about God, but didn’t have a personal experience or relationship with God. They considered themselves expert in the scriptures, but did not recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of scriptures. The Pharisees and Sadducees refused to be corrected by the Word of God proclaimed by John.

There is a Day of Judgment coming, when everyone who has ever lived on earth will be accountable to Jesus for what each has done in this life. Jesus is the standard by which all will be judged. Have we tried to serve the Lord while also serving the idols of this world? Will we produce the fruit of repentance and salvation, or will we be the unfruitful “chaff.”

Alternative Entry

first posted 10/09/03

1 Kings 18:20-40 The Contest on Mt. Carmel

Philippians 3:1-16 The Upward Call

Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist

King Ahab called the people of Israel together at Mt. Carmel with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal as Elijah instructed. Elijah proposed a contest between God and Baal, between the prophets of Baal and himself. They would erect two altars and prepare two sacrifices, one for God and one for Baal. However, they would not set fire to the sacrifices but would leave that to their god.

The prophets of Baal went first, and they danced around their altar and cried out to Baal and performed acts of self-mutilation for many hours, trying to induce Baal to bring down fire upon the altar, but there was no result. Elijah ridiculed the prophets of Baal, offering various excuses for them as to why Baal seemed unavailable.

Then it was Elijah’s turn, and he prepared the sacrifice to the Lord, but he flooded the altar and the wood with enough water to cause it to stand in puddles. When all was ready, Elijah prayed to the Lord, and the Lord sent fire down upon the altar and the sacrifice was consumed along with the wood and even the stones and water. When the people saw it they were filled with awe and praised God. Elijah ordered the prophets of Baal seized and executed.

Paul warns his hearers not to put their confidence in outward appearances or rituals. Paul reminds his listeners that, if his confidence was based on those things, he would have plenty of reason for confidence, but that the only real basis for confidence is faith in Christ. The righteousness which comes from God is a free gift, which cannot be earned by works of the law or by religious rituals; it can only be received with humble acceptance in faith.

John the Baptist began preaching a message of the need for people to repent and return to obedience to God. John’s appearance and lifestyle resembled the Old Testament prophets. He rebuked the Pharisees and Saducees, saying that it is not enough to rely on their religious heritage, nor is it enough to merely act repentant; true repentance must produce fruit appropriate to repentance. True repentance must be accompanied by a change in behavior. John warned that everyone will face a final judgment; those who have truly repented will be saved, but those who have not heeded the call to repent will be destroyed.

The people of the Northern Kingdom, Israel, had gone astray into idolatry, turning from the true God and putting their confidence in a false religion instead. Through the contest on Mt. Carmel, Elijah showed them that confidence in idols is misplaced. The material idols of this world, the work of the hands and imaginations of men, are impotent, and outward rituals, no matter how dramatic, are of no avail.

Paul’s point was that the true basis for confidence is to place one’s trust in the true and living God, and to persevere with an inner commitment to live according to God’s will. John’s message was that the Day of Judgment is coming for everyone (Hebrews 9:27). We have all sinned (Romans 3:23) The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23) Jesus paid the price for our sin by dying for us on the cross (Romans 5:6-9) All we have to do to be forgiven of all our sins and receive the promise of eternal life in heaven with God is to repent and turn in faith to Jesus as our Lord. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; Revelations 3:20).

17 Pentecost – Saturday

first posted 09/16/05

1 Kings 18:41-19:8, Elijah Flees to Mt. Horeb

Philippians 3:17-4:7, The Christian Life

Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus’ Baptism

The prophets of Baal (the Canaanite idol) had been killed following the contest of Mount Carmel (on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in northern Israel), where the Lord had revealed that he alone is God by sending fire from heaven to consume Elijah’s sacrifice. Elijah told Ahab, king of northern Israel, to return to the feast associated with the sacrifice. Elijah believed that the drought would end very soon and Ahab should not delay, or he would be caught in the rain. Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed.

Seven times he told his servant to look out to the Mediterranean Sea and report what he saw. On the seventh time the servant reported that he saw “a little cloud like a man’s hand rising out of the sea” (1 Kings 18:44). Elijah told his servant to tell Ahab to get in his chariot and head for home, or he would be caught in the storm. Soon there was a great rainstorm. Ahab had headed for Jezreel (his alternate residence; his capital was Samaria). “The hand of the Lord was on Elijah” (1 Kings 18:40), and Elijah ran and reached the entrance to Jezreel before Ahab.

Ahab told Jezebel (Ahab’s Phoenician wife who had sponsored the worship of Baal in the northern kingdom) what had happened. She was furious and sent a messenger to Elijah to tell him she would do to him within twenty-four hours what he had done to the prophets of Baal. Elijah was frightened and fled to Beersheba in the southern Kingdom of Judah. Elijah left his servant there and went a day’s journey into the wilderness (the Negeb).

Elijah sat under a tree and prayed that he might die. He lay down and slept, and an angel awakened him and gave him a biscuit and a jar of water. Elijah ate and then went back to sleep. The angel awoke him again with another biscuit and told him to eat or the journey would be more than he could do. Elijah ate again, and then, in the strength of that food, went forty days and nights to Mount Horeb (Mt. Sinai; where Moses had received the Ten Commandments).

Paul urged Christians to follow the example of Paul and others who live in obedient trust in Jesus’ teachings, rather than the “many who live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18), following the idolatries of this world; those who serve their worldly appetites, seek worldly glory in ungodliness, and focus on worldly things. Their end will be destruction. In contrast, Christians are citizens of the heavenly kingdom, who await the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will transform us from a body of corruptible flesh into an incorruptible glorious body like his, according to his sovereign power over all things.

Paul urged Christians to hold firmly to the Lord in obedient trust. The Christian disciples at Philippi were Paul’s joy and his reward for faithful ministry, and he loved and longed to be with them. He urged the members of the congregation to agree and work together and help one another, and with all genuine Christian disciples, in the Gospel.

Christians should rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances. We should practice forbearance with all people. We should not worry about anything, but instead pray about everything with thankfulness, asking the Lord to provide for our needs. “And the peace of the Lord which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

John the Baptist had begun his ministry of calling Israel to repent (to return to obedient trust in the Lord) and be baptized (with water) to prepare themselves for the coming of the Christ. Jesus came to John for baptism, but John said that it was he who needed to be baptized by Jesus. Jesus told John let Jesus be baptized in order for each to fulfill all righteousness, so John consented. As Jesus came up from the water after baptism “the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him” (Jesus; Matthew 3:16), and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Elijah trusted and obeyed God’s Word. He had confronted Ahab, the wicked king of the northern Kingdom of Israel and prophesied drought that would not end until the Word of God ended it. God had told Elijah to return to Ahab and declare the end of the drought. The contest between God and Baal on Mount Carmel was to establish that God, and not Baal, is in control, even of rain and drought. Elijah believed that rain was coming and he prayed in faith for it and watched and waited until it did.

Elijah’s obedience to God’s Word put him in danger from heathen worldly rulers, but “the hand of the Lord was with Elijah” (1 Kings 18:46) to guide him, to provide for his physical needs and to give him supernatural strength to accomplish what God called him to do. He was able to flee to the mountain of the Lord, far from Jezebel’s worldly power and jurisdiction.

Paul (formerly called Saul) is the prototype and example of a modern, “post-resurrection” “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ, since Paul, like all of us today, did not know Jesus during Jesus’ earthly life (Acts 9:1-20). Paul was making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to trust and obey all that Jesus had taught. Paul was fulfilling the Great Commission which Jesus gave to his disciples after his resurrection (Matthew 28:19-20), which is conditional upon their spiritual rebirth (John 3:3, 5-8) by the baptism (anointing) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Paul is the example of a “born-again” Christian disciple, in contrast to unbelievers and also to “nominal,” “carnal” “Christians,” who follow the idolatries of this world; those who serve their worldly appetites, seek worldly glory in ungodliness, and focus on worldly things.

The “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the provision the Lord gives to guide and empower his disciples to accomplish his will and purpose. The Holy Spirit is the hand of God upon us. The Holy Spirit is our source of strength and spiritual sustenance. The Holy Spirit supplies the sovereign power of the risen Lord to transform us from bondage to corruptible flesh and to prepare us to receive incorruptible bodies at the Day of the Lord.

John the Baptist’s ministry was to call people to repent and return to obedient trust in the Lord, and to prepare them to receive the coming Christ (Messiah; both mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). John’s baptism was a water baptism of repentance (John 1:31; Acts 19:4). John’s ministry was to herald and identify the coming Christ (John 1:31). Only Jesus gives the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 1:33-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether or not one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

Christ’s ministry is still being carried out by his disciples today. The Great Commission applies to all “born-again” Christian disciples. We are to call people to repent and turn to Jesus in obedient trust, to seek the coming of Christ, individually and personally, through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, and to join and cooperate in ministry with the true Church, holding firmly to the scriptural, apostolic Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we await Jesus’ promised universal return (Matthew 24:27, 30) on the Day of Judgment.

Alternative Entry

first posted 10/10/03

1 Kings 18:41-19:8 Elijah flees from Jezebel

Philippians 3:17-4:7 Enemies of the Cross

Matthew 3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus

The contest on Mt. Carmel had established that the Lord, not Baal, ruled the heavens and earth. Elijah the prophet told King Ahab to “eat and drink,” finishing the ceremony of the sacrifice, because rain was going to be coming to end the drought. Then Elijah went up to the top of Mt. Carmel and prayed, waiting for a sign that the rain was coming. He had his servant look, six times, to see if he could see any sign of approaching rain, and there was not a cloud in sight; but on the seventh time, the servant reported that there was “a little cloud, like a man’s hand rising out of the sea” (v.44).

Elijah sent the servant to tell Ahab to head for Jezreel (Ahab’s second residence, close to Mt. Carmel; his capital was Samaria) lest he become stuck in the rain. Ahab went (by chariot) and Elijah ran and reached Jezreel ahead of him. In a little while there was a great rainstorm. When Ahab told Jezebel, his foreign wife who had instigated the Baal-worship, what had happened on Mt Carmel, she sent a messenger to Elijah vowing to kill him in revenge, so Elijah fled for his life into the wilderness. Elijah was discouraged and asked the Lord to take his life, but the angel of the Lord fed him a cake of bread and a jar of water, which sustained him supernaturally for a forty day journey to Mt. Horeb (the site where Moses had received the Ten Commandments from the Lord).

Paul exhorts his hearers to follow the example they have in Paul and others who live as he does, and not be like those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ. The end of those who “worship” at the altar of their own worldly appetites will be destruction, but those who follow Christ look forward to eternal life in heaven, where our earthly bodies will be changed into eternal, incorruptible, glorified bodies like that of the risen Jesus. Rejoice in the Lord, practice forbearance, don’t be anxious; entrust your needs in prayer to God with thanksgiving, “and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (v.7)

Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized by John; John humbly recognized his inadequacy for this role, but consented. When Jesus came up out of the water, the Spirit of God descended and landed upon him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven said “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (v.17)

Elijah had trusted in the Lord to hear and respond at the contest at Mt. Carmel. He had the Word of the Lord that the drought was over and rain was coming, but yet it required persistence in faith to keep trusting that the rain was coming during the waiting and checking six times with still no sign of rain. With the triumph of the contest of Mt. Carmel and the vindication of his prophesy of the rain, he must have been quite exhilarated, running to Jezreel and arriving ahead of Ahab’s chariot. Then Jezebel’s powerful threat frightened him and drove him into the wilderness. From the mountaintop of spiritual ecstasy to the wilderness of fear and depression! But the Spirit of the Lord comforted and strengthened him in the wilderness and gave him the power to go on to the mountain of God at Horeb.

Paul warns his hearers that those who pursue their own appetites and the desires of the flesh will receive eternal destruction in the Last Judgment, but those who follow Jesus will receive eternal life. Those who follow Jesus do not need to worry about anything; they can trust in the Lord to provide for every situation, and to give them peace.

Jesus submitted in humility to God’s will at his baptism by John, which marked the beginning of his earthly ministry, and he received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which affirmed his ministry and empowered him for what lay ahead. (Forty days of temptation in the wilderness lay immediately ahead; crucifixion was the ultimate

“wilderness” he faced.) God won the ultimate contest with Satan at Calvary. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the proof.

The Lord is abundantly able to keep and sustain those who trust in him. He will provide the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who are willing to serve him in humble obedience to his will. He will bring us through every wilderness finally to the mountain of God.